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In This issue
- The Grammy's... OR... The Grimey's
- Dean Names New Jerseyans to convention panels
- Wayne Henderson "Kicks the Jazz " with Multi-Generational
Appeal
- Top Star Talent Search/Awards - Las
Vegas
- Meet Joe Green - WWII Radio - Shiremanstown,
PA
By the time you receive
this newsletter, the voting in Texas & Ohio will have taken place...I don't know the outcome but I will give you my
thought prior to this.
I
have always been a person who like to be on the "engine" part of the train...unfortunately, many will not take that
chance and become "caboose bandits". I take great pride in this Obama/Clinton campaign. I am an official delegate
from Nevada and hopefully will be going to Reno and on to the National Convention...we will see! My problem mentally is I
really want him to win!...but I am scared to death..Remember...Martin, Malcomb & Megers. Of course, there will be on ones
who say...It was JFK, Bobby and Abe Lincoln. All of who where somewhat sympathetic to OUR cause. I can only go by what I feel
"emotionally" about our lost leaders. With that in mind...if the Lord see fit, Obama will have a safe journey into
the White House. Whatever, the outcome, please keep him in prayer. I guess the reason for my emotional dilemma is the fact that, it never ceases to amaze me when
we hopefully get to the mountain top that I am forced to be, once again, amazed by the like of a Tavis Smiley!!!!!!!! A man
who I met one time (quite stand-offish)...but I felt that he had some substance.Now II question his "sheep's clothing".!
His "bashing" as it has been stated was sooooooo un-necessary!!! Doesn't he have these State of the Black Union...every
year...How come he didn't ask Senator Obama to come last year??? Things that make you go hummmmm! Pray tell, I wonder
how he will have the nerve to invite Sen. Obama if he wins the presidency!!! Oh Oh! NOW...Having looked at CNN and CNN having looked at me for the past few
days (Michigan shame on you...Florida, what else would I expect, you really help get Bush in!)...I am more than sure that
it is going to get real "nasty" with "Bush-illery" going into menopause mode!!! I guess she just can deal
with Obama's "Stand for a Change"....and is resorting to..."If you can't beat him...cheat him"!!
Paulette De
Suzia
The Grammy's... OR... The Grimey's
Peepin' knows it is a little late on
running this article however, better late than never..
Can someone please tell me why we have a Grammy's? Why is there an award show for the music industry? It absolutely
has nothing to do with today's music industry, for nowhere did the Grammy's look at the music that is being traded,
downloaded or listened to over the Internet. In fact it is as if iPods don't even exist who really wins? I remember a time where after winning a Grammy
you would be insured to sell multiple thousands of new albums in the following weeks. That's not happening anymore. I
remember a time when a Grammy nomination would be advertised at the independent and national stores WEEKS before the event
in the hopes of increasing sales. That doesn't happen anymore. What do they win? What is there to gain? This year there was an unexpected winner in Herbie
Hancock who won album of the year. "You know it's been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist
got the album of the year award," Hancock said, then proceeded to honor "the giants upon whose shoulders I stand,
some of whom like Miles Davis, John Coltrane ... unquestionably deserved the award in the past. But this is a new day that
proves that the impossible can be made possible." DID ANYONE NOTICE THAT THIS ALBUM HAD NOT BEEN PLAYED ANYWHERE ON RADIO?
What made it an album of the year? I love Herbie but get real, where was this album last year? The bottom line is that NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts
& Sciences) makes more money from the Grammy's than any other event or subscription service that it owns. If you think this awards show is important, then
you must have a financial interest. Allen
Johnston
Dean Names New Jerseyans to convention panels
Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean has picked three New Jerseyans to serve on key committees
for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver....M. Allyn Brooks-LaSure, a former spokesman for Bob Menendez and Jon
Corzine, will be on the credential committee - a potential important post if there is a battle over the seating of the Florida
and Michigan delegates; Trenton May Douglas Palmer will be on the Platform Committee: and BISHOP DAVID EVANS of the Bethany
Baptist Church in Lindenwold will serve on the rules Committee
Bishop David G. Evans
Wayne
Henderson "Kicks the Jazz " with Multi-Generational Appeal At 68-years-old he calls himself the oldest teenager in jazz. Wayne "Trombone" Henderson's
latest album Kick the Jazz is transforming the genre, backed by 50 years of revolutionary style which appeals to young and
old fans alike. Henderson is the
man behind the famed Jazz Crusaders that he began back in a Texas junior high school in 1954. Since then he has found fame
and success as an international recording artist, multi-instrumentalist and producer/composer. This latest album from the
Jazz Crusaders featuring Wayne Henderson - "Kick the Jazz" is set for release in late April. Back in the day Henderson was the co-creator of the jazz/funk or
funk fusion movement. He changed the face of jazz then, and he is doing it again now, with jazz/hip-hop fusion. Henderson
has dubbed this new form of music "Jazziphop" - jazz in the hip-hop generation. It blends the rhythm and rhymes
of hip-hop with the smooth melodies of jazz. But Henderson emphasizes it does not contain the vulgarity, violence, degradation
of women and general ugliness found in many rap albums. He says that bringing "Jazziphop" to the younger generations
is a challenge he is inspired to undertake. He says many of his best friends are children because "they don't have
as many hang-ups as old people. Children are honest and I am trying to reach them with a better message." He says his inspiration stems from the desire
to introduce the youth of today to jazz. Henderson says, "A great race of people created jazz. Guys like Charlie Parker,
Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrain, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, Clifford Brown, Sonny Rollins,
Cannonball Adderley, Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus - they are my real inspiration. Young people now have not come to
appreciate these great artists." Henderson
is already influencing the next generation of artists. In a recent article in "Rolling Stone" Andre 3000 from Outkast,
lists the Jazz Crusaders as one of the groups he enjoys listening to. And many of Henderson's jazz songs have been sampled
by rap artists such as Tupak Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Lord Tariq, Mobb Deep and Cassidy. He says, "These people
are sampling reaching into our music and making millions of dollars, which tells me that rappers and hip hoppers recognize
the value of our noble art form called jazz. Since they cannot play it - they sample it. With my album Kick the Jazz I do
not have to sample it - I play it." Henderson says the jazz musicians of today are not making waves like he does. He says, "They have overlooked
this form of music and have chosen to play a so-called lighter form, or watered down version of music that is called snooze
jazz." He says he is bored with the whole music scene today and "Jazziphop" is here to shake things up. Henderson admits that some of his statements
might sound angry, but they are not. He says, "I love changes, new ideas. I like walking that thin line. I am not afraid."
The main spirit of this new album
is 50 years in music. The first single is "Welcome to the New Year" to be released late March, t rap performance
is reminiscent of the attitude and style of Isaac Hayes, a smooth, melodic, radio-friendly tune for all audiences. On the
flip side is a true homage to Henderson's half century in music. He has re-worked his song "Younger Rabbits"
that was released nearly 50 years ago. It is an up-tempo jazz tune laced with a hip-hop beat. "Dance Floor" is a
danceable, yet credible improvisation that is literally jazz/dance. Another song, "Time is Running Out" has lyrics
inspiring people to wake up - to make sure they do positive things with their lives. Henderson says, "Overall Kick the
Jazz is a tremendous statement of contemporary music. It is a cut above the average. It is the upper level of rap and hip-hop."
Kick the Jazz is Wayne Henderson's
introduction to "Jazziphop" - jazz in the hip-hop generation. Whether it is his new fans or established fans - and
whether they listen to it or dance with it - Kick the Jazz is ushering in a new music phenomenon.
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